Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We absolutely acknowledge the importance of the tourism and hospitality sector for employment in the regions and that is why in budget 2022 the Government allocated €67 million in additional funding for tourism, which brought the overall budget to €288 million. A total of €50 million was provided for tourism business continuity. Many schemes were operated through Fáilte Ireland, including the €8 million restart grant plus scheme. The tourism recovery plan increased tourism marketing from €46 million to €81 million.

In the last two years the Government has provided unprecedented support for the tourism and hospitality sector in an effort to maintain its viability through the Covid period. The Minister for Finance has established the new temporary business energy support scheme which will mitigate some, though not all, of the costs that businesses face. We want to ensure continued employment and viability in the sector. The Minster, Deputy Martin, and the Tánaiste regularly engage and work with the sector on the challenges it faces and that will continue during the winter period.

Tuesday's budget was about getting significant allocations for the sector and that has happened again and the horizontal supports will help businesses through the coming months. I will relay the Deputy's concerns and feedback to the Minister.

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